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Dragonfly graduates earn AAZK awards for their work within the animal care field

The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) recently announced its 2024 keeper award winners, and three Dragonfly graduates were recognized.

Dragonfly graduates earn AAZK awards for their work within the animal care field

Altman, Hidalgo, Mazrimas-Ott

The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) recently announced its 2024 keeper award winners, and three Dragonfly graduates were recognized.

Karina Altman '23 won the Paper of the Year Award for her "Sssensational Snakes: Overcoming Fear by Inspiring Empathy" article. She is the Zoo Content Manager at the Ark Encounter's Ararat Ridge Zoo in Williamstown, Kentucky. As an AIP student, Altman participated in experiential learning at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Liliana Hidalgo '23 won the Susan D. Chan Author of the Year Award for her work, "Monitoring Komodo Dragons in Zoos: An online approach." Hidalgo, who earned a GFP master's degree, is an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Christy Mazrimas-Ott '12 won two awards — the Nico Van Strein Leadership in Conservation Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award — "in recognition of her outstanding commitment to professionalism during her distinguished career both as a zoo keeper and advocate for conservation." As the founder of Trees for You and Me (TFYM), Mazrimas-Ott devoted more than a decade to guiding and developing the TFYM program into a global fundraising project. Her dedication to the conservation of polar bears and their environment is evident in all aspects of her career, from educating guests over her 38 years as a zookeeper to traveling with Polar Bear International as a Field Ambassador. "Her work has helped pave the way for future generations." Mazrimas-Ott's AIP experiential learning took place at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.